June 17

Happy Wednesday! I’m so glad it’s here (yesterday I kept thinking it was Wednesday!) One of the places I visited in the old city of Jerusalem that I remember well is the Tower at the Church of the Redeemer—I climbed it, all the way to the top. When you look at the city from a distance, two things inside the walls catch your attention. The Golden Dome and that Tower. Looking at that Tower, reminded me of the Psalmist saying “Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.” (Psalm‬ ‭48:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬)


When I found out they let people climb the tower and see all of Jerusalem, I was determined to do it. It’s 178 narrow, steep, circular stairs. I had to rest once on my way up and with my touch of claustrophobia, it was a challenge, but, I prevailed! 


When I reached the top, I couldn’t quit staring. As I looked out across the city from that platform over the bells, it was evident Jerusalem is special. A person could spend a lifetime living here and still not grasp the depths of this city, its vast history, its diverse culture, its impossible politics, not to mention trying to wrap your mind around the spirit of what Jerusalem is and what it was. But going to Jerusalem, (visiting the holy sites, listening, reading) is not really a “vacation”—it’s a pilgrimage for the people of God because in this city was the holy of holies where God dwelt. In this city, our Savior walked, taught, went to temple, was wrongly accused and condemned. He bled and poured out His precious blood on those streets, and all the while asking His Father to forgive His murderers. Jerusalem where the sin atonement was made. Jerusalem, the City of God that Ezekiel says “...And the name of the city from that time on will be: the Lord is there.” Ezekiel‬ ‭48:35‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬


From my vantage point on that platform, I could see part of the wall, the ramparts, and a couple of the Gates. It was an amazing view. And I couldn’t help but think of Jesus as He looked over Jerusalem and cried. There are things today that I’m sure He would still cry over—those there that do not recognize Him, do not believe He is the Messiah. But for those of us who know the Lord, the Psalmist and Isaiah had it right! 


“What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.” Psalms‬ ‭84:5‬ ‭NLT

“But the people of God will sing a song of joy, like the songs at the holy festivals. You will be filled with joy, as when a flutist leads a group of pilgrims to Jerusalem, the mountain of the Lord — to the Rock of Israel.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30:29‬ ‭NLT


Thank you Lord for revealing to us that you are Messiah, you are God. Thank you for the joy that is in you that you bring to us. What a marvelous Savior you are! We praise you for the strength that only comes from you—let us rely on that strength and not in our own devices. You are our Rock and our fortress. Help us Lord to keep the gates of our lives open to you and to not erect walls between us. We worship you this day and sing hallelujah to the Lamb. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

January 17, 2020

Happy Friday. It’s the end of another week and we have had more opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around us and sometimes that takes quite a bit of effort. I don’t know about you, but I’m not always anxious to embrace others and really listen to them or share with them (especially those who I don’t know well). Sometimes, I just look at them and think “Are you for real?” I don’t always agree with people over politics, sports or of course, religion. And let’s face it, we’d rather spend time with people we like and mostly agree.  And then I read my Bible. God hasn’t called us to sit in our little groups with only those we naturally gravitate towards, but to love people—all people, even those who aren’t necessarily loveable. In this passage, Paul writing to the people of Colosse remarks on how wonderful it is that they truly love others. That love must have really been something over and above the normal and he tells them that it is evident that it comes from the Holy Sp
Read more

January 15, 2020

Happy Wednesday to you. I hope your week is going well. Yesterday, I went to Sams. I was out of things like trash bags, toilet paper, and chicken, so off I went. I like going to Sams because there is always lots to look at and the isles are nice and wide. Everytime I’m there, I am amazed at how much stuff and everything from diapers to TVs to mangos to beds. It just seems incredible that so many things in such quantities are all under one roof.  King David never saw a store with as much stuff aa Sams of course, but he did see countless miracles and understand that God has plans. He knew from creation and history that he was serving a God of miracles and he know that God loved him and his people and would take care of them. He was amazed and awe-struck by the fact that a God who had done such great and mighty things not only cared about his people but that He loved them with such a great love.  “Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can co
Read more

January 9, 2020

It’s Thursday and I woke up to the blowing wind! Lots of it—I’m dreading Boomer waking up and having to go outside with him. That harsh, bitter wind seems cruel and almost evil. But I’ll wrap myself up with a fe layers and boots and brave it all.  Sometimes I think we try to do that with things we know aren’t right—things that are evil. We try to wrap ourselves up and just wade into it, but Paul tells us we should reject it—stay away from it. “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:20-24‬ NIV When he wrote this he’d been in Berea and the Christians there diligently searched the scriptures to make sure everything Paul said was in line. Paul here is encouraging the Thessalonians to
Read more